Dual drive road machine



Nov. 20, 1934. w. T'. BEATTY ET AL,

DUAL DRIVE ROAD MACHINE Filed Feb. '7, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. `20, 1934;` w, T. BEAT'YrY Er A1. .1'59811821f5 l I DUAILDRIVE ROAD MACHINE` y Filed Feb. 7, 195o 5 sheets-'shea 2 NOV. 20, 1934 w. T. BEATTY ET AL DUAL DRIVE ROAD MACHINE Filed Feb. '7I '1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. ZO, 1934.

w. T. BEA-TTY ET Al.

DUAL DRIVE ROADv MACHINE Filed Feb. 7, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 N0V 20, 1934- w. T. BEATTY l-:r AL

DUAL DRIVE ROAD MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 7, 1930 ,l Il. F f mmf@ m u mm n@ v u G@ Nh;

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Z' d, L2 Wmo C agg/@M N v"- @y ParentedNov. 2o, 1934 DUAL nimm non MACHINE William T. Beatty, Chicago, and Fred D. Wilson, Harvey,` lll., assignors to Austin Manufacturing Co., Chicagmlll., a corporation of Illinois Application February 7, 1930, Serial No. 426.489

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to a road machine, and more ln particular to an automotive road machine provided with dual drive wheels.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a road machine provided with a novel power plant or motor construction adapted to be assembled thereon.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel means of mounting the power plant or motor in the road machine, in which the frame construction permits greater rigidity of the power plant mounting and resists any side strain or sway which is set up while working the road working tool, such as a grader blade or the like, at an angle to the frame. In prior constructions in which the front of the tractor or power plant was allowed to float vertically between the frame rails, it was extremely difcult to properly brace the frame against rollingor twisting caused by the side thrust of the mechanism for laterally adjusting the tool carrying frame, when the tool was being worked at an angle. 'I'he present construction permits the mounting of the motor or power plant in the frame on members which suitably reinforce the frame and lend themselves to easy and read` control of the side thrust.

Another object of the invention is to provide an oscillating rear truck which transmits to the blade or Yother road working tool but substantially one-half the vertical movement of the rear wheels as compared to that of former types of machines where the frame was pivoted on the rear axle or housing. In such prior construction, when the rear wheels struck an opening or rut, the blade would be forced into the road, thus causing another hole. This was necessarily true because of the construction, the frame being mounted on the front and rear axles and the blade assembly substantially intermediate the ends of the frame. Due to the connections between the frame carrying the road working tool and the main frame of the road machine, such road working tool would necessarily be forced into the earth whenever the front or rear wheels would strike a rut, the depth to which the road working tool penetrated the road surface being approximately one-half of the depth of the rut into which either the front or rear wheels had dropped.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel mounting and means for adjusting the road working tool and its frame laterally of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel traction unit and transmission means for driving four ground engaging, non-steerable traction wheels, all of which combine in their tractive effort for the propulsion of the road machine. By such construction, the machine is (ci. 3'1--15s) practically free from miring down in sott earth or mud due to its increased traction surface and to the fact that certain of the wheels are always on solid footing.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efllciency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

The invention further resides.in the combination, construction and arrangements of parts illustrated in the' accompanying drawings, and while We have shown therein a preferred em bodiment, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of our invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the road machine.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view, with portions of the power plant, mounting therefor, and rear truck construction broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view similar to Fig. 2, but with portions of the rear or truck assembly being shown in horizontal cross section.

Fig. 4' is a view in vertical cross section taken on the irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 isa diagrammatic showing of the position of an earth working tool when the rear of the truck drops into a hole or rut.

Fig. 6 is a view in vertical cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig, 2.

Fig. 7 is a view in vertical cross section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the road machine comprises an elongated arched frame 1 provided with front steering wheels 2 mounted upon an axle 3, and rear traction wheels 4 and 5, the traction wheels 4 and 5 being propelled by means of a power plant or motor 6 mounted in the frame and provided with suitable transmission means, the construction of which will be later more fully explained.

The front wheels 2 are operated by means of a steering shaft 7 and steering wheel 8. When desired, suitable tilting mechanism may be provided for causing the wheels to lean at any desired angle. Located rearwardly of the front wheels and near the forward end of the machine, is a scarier 9 mounted upon a frame 10, which in turn is pivotally mounted at 11 upon a casting 12 at the front of the frame 1. This pivotal connection allows for the raising or lowering of the scariiier from contacting engagement with the ground. The mechanism for raising or lowering the scarifler comprises arm members 13 and 14 mounted on opposite sides of the machine and Connected to the scarifler at its opposite ends. The arm members 14 are in turn mounted uponda shaft 15 which is operated by suitable gearing 16 mounted on the top of the frame 1, this gearing being in turn operated by means of a shaft 17 and wheel 18. Thus by turning the wheel 18 in the proper direction, the gearing 16 are rotated, and in turn raise or lower the arms 14 and 13 for raising or lowering the scarier mechanism.

Positioned under the frame 1 is a frame 19 of substantially triangular construction, the forward end 20 of this frame floating on a pivot pin 21. This construction allows for a partial rotation of the frame 19 so as to permit the sides of the road working tool and of the frame to be raised or lowered by the operator at will. It also allows for lateral adjustment of the rear end of the frame 19. Rotatably mounted on the under surface of the frame 19 is a tool supporting wheel 22. This wheel may be rotated by means of bevel gears 23 and 24, the latter being mounted upon a shaft provided with a -gear adapted to mesh with internal teeth on the wheel 22. The bevel gear 23 is in turn adapted to be rotated by means of a shaft 25 and wheel 26. By this construction, the wheel 22 carrying the road working tool 27, such as a grader blade or the like, may be rotated to position the tool 27 at any desired angle. As shown, this tool is provided with a bracket 29 at the sides thereof, adapted to be connected to brace arms 30 extending from the wheel 22. Suitable bracing means 31 may be provided for holding the tool assembly in substantially rigid position.

Pivotal connections 32 are mounted on a cross rod attached to the under side of the frame 19. Attached to these connections are upwardly extending rods 33, one on each side of the frame, they in turn being attached at their upper ends to arms 34 pivotally connected to a shaft 35 extending transverse cf the machine. The arms 34 are attached to bell cranks 36, each provided with an arm 37 pivotally attached at their upper ends to an internally threaded casting 38.

Each casting 38 is threadedly engaged by a shaft 39 adapted to be rotated by means of a wheel 40. By means of this construction, either bell crank may be either raised or lowered and through its corresponding arm 34 and rod 33, will either raise or lower either side of the road Working tool assembly. A spring 41 is connected to each bell crank at 42 through the medium of a chain 43, the other end of the spring being connected to the frame 1.

In order to provide lateral adjustment of the frame 19 and its road working tool assembly crosswise or transverse of the road, suitable adjusting means are provided for moving the frame 19 and road working implement bodily. I'his mechanism comprises a shaft 44 adapted to be operated by means of a hand wheel 45, the shaft at its lower end being provided with a bevel gear 46 adapted to mesh with a second bevel gear 47 on a threaded shaft 48. This threaded shaft 48 threadedly engages a block or nut 49 which is, suitably attached to the rear or base of the triangular frame 19. Thus, whenever the operator from his station 49 at the rear of the machine desires to shift the triangular frame laterally, he rotates the Wheel which in turn rotates the shaft 44 and its bevel gear. This bevel gear 46 in turn rotates the bevel gear 47 on the shaft 48. The rotation of this shaft will shift or swing the frame and tool in a horizontal plane about the connection 21 at the front of the machine. All of the 0011.13'101 .means or operating wheels are located adjacent the operators station 49, 4and it will thus be seen that but one operator is necessary to the proper manipulation of the controls and for steering the machine.

Referring more particularly to the power plant and mounting therefor, the motor 6 is supported upon brackets 50, 50 and a U-shaped bracket member 51 connected to the exterior of an auxiliary frame or power plant support. This frame or support comprises frame rails 52 and 53 which at their rear end are connected at 54, 54 to the main frame 1, and at their frontend are connected to a frame yoke plate 55, this plate in turn being connected to the main frame 1 at 56, 56. The means of connecting this yoke plate 55 to the auxiliary frame rail 52 comprises bracket members 57 and 58 connected to the plate, inturned flanges 59 thereof, and the rail 52, the plate being provided with a cut-out portion 60 for the passage of the rail. The rail 53 is connected to the side flange 59 of the plate'and a brace plate 61 by means of rivets, bolts or the like.

As shown clearly in the drawings, this yoke plate 55 is mounted directly in front of the radiator 62 of the power plant, and in order to allow for a proper circulation of air to the radiator, this plate is provided with a multiplicity of openings 63. An opening 64 is also provided in this plate for the insertion of a crank for cranking the engine. Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the rail 52 is shown as of greater length than the rail 53, the latter abutting the yoke plate 55 while the former passes through this plate and at its forward end provides a bearing for the shaft 48 of the mechanism for shifting the triangular frame 19. A bearing member or bracket 65 is mounted on this rail and holds the bevel gears 46 and 47, and their respective shafts 44 and 48, in proper meshing engagement.

The construction of the rails 52 and 53 and the yoke plate, braces the frame 1 against rolling or twisting caused by the side thrust of the shaft 48 and threaded nut 49 when Working the road working tool, such as a grader blade or the like, at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the machine. It also permits the motor to be mounted in the frame on members which provide reinforcement for the frame and which lend themselves admirably to easy control of the side thrust. The yoke plate 55 prevents side movement of the rails 52 and 53, and the construction of this plate extending entirely across or between the frame 1 and side rails, and having its four edges turned inwardly, guards against buckling thereof Obviously, to roll the rails of the main frame 1, it is necessary to not only distort the rails 52 and 53, but the heavy plate 55 as well. This is of extreme importance in the maintenance of hard gravel and macadam highways, where the road working tool should be kept level and travel in a straight even course, with sucient rigidity to remove high, hard portions of the road without affecting other portions thereof.

In order to allow for a slight lateral shifting of the rails 52 and 53, the U-shaped frame 51, which is shown as channel-shaped, is provided with a bracket 66 having toggles 67, 67 connected to a hub or bracket 68 adapted to encompass the passage 69 from the radiator to the engine. This construction holds the engine rmly in position, and prevents vertical oscillation thereof.

The traction unit comprises a transmission case or housing 70, the mechanism of which is suitably connected and driven from the drive shaft 'I1 of the engine. This transmission box or case is supported in the frame 1 by means of a pin or bar 72 passing through lugs 'I3 on the case, and openings in the rails of' the main and auxiliary frame. Cotter pins or the like 73' passing through the ends of the pin or bar 72 hold the same and the case or transmission box in substantially rigid position. A gear shift lever 74 allows for the operator to shift into whichever speed he desires to operate the machine. Trun-` nions 75 are provided at the sides of the trans-v mission case or box, and house shaft member '76` suitably driven from the transmission means. These trunnions are provided with bearings 77 for said shafts. Mounted on each shaft is a sprocket 78 adapted to drive axle members 79 provided with sprockets 80 through the medium of chain drives 81. These axle members rotate in bearings 82 and 83 in trunnions 84. Mounted on the axle members and rotated thereby are hubs 85 and the rear drive wheels 4, the hubs 'oeing provided with sprockets 86. These axle members 79. sprockets 80 and trunnions 84 are all mounted in housings or castings 87the latter being in turn pivotally mounted on the central trunnions 75.

Mounted in the forward end of the carriers, housings or castings 87 are axle members 88, one end thereof bearing in said housings or castings and the other end in bushings 89 in the hubs 90 of the front drive wheels 5. These hubs 90 have attached thereto sprockets 91 adapted to be driven by means of the sprockets 86 and chains 92.

The rails of the frame 1 are mounted on the trunnions '75 by means of bolts 93 passing through the flanges of the channel-shaped rails and through split hubs 94 encompassing the trunnions 75 and mounted within an opening a in the castings or housings 87. A lug 94n on the upper split hub and connected by a bolt 94b to the rails of the main frame, in combination with bolts 93, rigidly connects the trunnions 75 to the frame 1. but allows for pivotal movement of the housings or castings 87.

The trunnions and drive mechanisms with the exception of the sprocket on the wheel hubs, are all encased in the irregularly shaped carriers, housings or castings 87 and their plates 87, so as to prevent the entrance of dirt and other foreign particles. Numerous oil holes are provided for the reception of a lubricant. Plates 95 detachably cover the ends of the trunnion "I5 so that access may be readily had to the interior for the purpose of lubrication or the like. A brake drum 96 is provided at the rear and exterior of the transmission case and may be operated by any suitable means or mechanism.

In the operation of the drive wheels, the rear drive wheels 4 are driven from the drive shaft, and these'drive wheels in turn drive the forward wheels of the dual drive unit. This dual drive unit or oscillating rear truck transmits to the blade but substantially one-half the vertical movement of the rear wheels compared to that of former constructions, where the frame was mounted on the rear axle or housing. This is accomplished in the present construction by pivoting the frame at a point intermediate the front and rear drive wheels of the traction unit. Thus as the rear wheels drop into a rut or hole, the rear end of the frame in the prior construction would drop the full extent or depth of the rut or hole, while in the present construction, the rear end of the frame will drop but one-half the extent or depth of the hole into which the rear wheels have dropped. This is shown to advantage in Fig. 5 of the drawings and is a decided improvement over prior constructions.

From the above description and the disclosure in the drawings, it will be seen that we have provided a road machine having the greatest possible efliciency and rigidity. The construction of the dual drive means gives positive tractive effort on four separate and distinct parts of the road surface, thus eliminating any chance of the machine being mired down by running into a hole or soft place, and also giving sunlcient power and rigidity to keep the road working tool level and travel in a straight even course for the purpose of removing high hard portions of the road bed.

Having thus disclosed the invention,

We claim:

1. In a road machine, provided with a road working tool, an elongated frame for said machine, a power plant adjacent the rear of said frame, an auxiliary frame, means for mounting said power plant on said auxiliary frame, and a plate positioned adjacent the front of said power plant and rigidly connecting said auxiliary and main frames for reinforcing the same.

2. In an automotive road machine provided with a road working tool, an elongated frame for said machine, an auxiliary frame providing a mounting for the engine of said machine, and a plate positioned adjacent the radiator of said engine and connecting said main and auxiliary frames for reinforcing the same, said plate being provided with openings for permitting circulation of air to said radiator.

3. In a road machine, a power plant therefor, a transmission, a drive shaft, a housing for said drive shaft, a casting mounted on and freely pivoted on said housing, a stub shaft in each enel of said casting, a driving unit on each stub shaet, means for driving said rear unit from -the drive shaft, and means for driving the forward unit from the rear unit.

4. In a road machine, a power plant therefor,

a transmission, a drive shaft, a housing for said drive shaft, a casting mountedon and freely pivoted on said housing, stub shafts mounted in said casting, a driving wheel on each stub shaft, means for driving the rear wheel from the drive shaft, and means for driving the forward wheel from the rear wheel.

5. In a road machine, a power plant therefor, a transmission, a drive shaft, a housing for said drive shaft, a unitary casting pivoted on said housing, stub shafts mounted in said casting, a driving wheel on each stub shaft, means within said casting for driving the rear wheel, and means without said casting for driving the front wheel from said rear wheel.

6. In a. road machine, a power plant therefor, a transmission, a drive shaft, a housing for said drive shaft, a unitary casting pivoted on said housing, stub shafts mounted in said casting, a driving wheel on each stub shaft, a sprocket drive within said casting for driving the rear wheel, and a sprocket drive without said casting for driving the front wheel from said rear wheel.

'7. In a road machine provided with a road working blade and operating mechanism for adjusting said blade, a frame for said machine, a power plant for operating said machine; an auxiliary frame for carrying said power plant, and means connecting said frames and re-inforcing said machine frame for bracing the same against side thrust caused by the working of said blade at an angle.

8. In a road machine provided' with a road working blade and operating mechanism for adjusting said blade, transverse of the machine, a frame for said machine, a power plant for operating said machine, an auxiliary frame for carrying said power plant, and a member bridging and connecting said frames whereby to brace said machine frame against side thrust caused by the working of the blade at an angle.

9. In a self-propelled road machine provided with a grader blade, a frame provided with side members carrying said blade, a power plant mounted at the rear of said frame, steering wheels at the front and non-steerable driving wheels at the rear of said machine, and additional nonsteerable driving wheels located forwardly of said first mentioned driving wheels and between the same and said blade and whereby said driving wheels are arranged in tandem, said driving wheels being so spaced with relation to the blade as to be effective to prevent lateral skidding of the machine from a heavy side load on the face of the blade, and means for mounting the rear end of said frame intermediate said driving wheels and permitting said driving wheels to oscillate vertically, said mounting intermediate said driving wheels communicating to said frame and blade but a fraction of the depth of drop of one or more of said driving wheels when dropping into a hole or rut.

10. In a self-propelled road machine, a grader blade, an elongated frame upon which the blade is mounted, mechanism mounted on said frame for operating and adjusting the blade, said mechanism and frame being adapted to exert the requisite amount of pressure on the blade for the desired scraping and grading operation, a power transmission unit at the rear of the frame, steering wheels at the front and driving wheels at the rear of the machine, carriers pivotally mounted intermediate their length upon the power transmission unit and each carrying one of said driving wheels at an end thereof, additional driving wheels located forwardly of said first mentioned driving wheels and between the same and the blade to pro'vide additional traction and effect additional resistance against lateral movement of the road grader from a heavy side load on the face of the grader blade, said additional driving wheels being carried at the other end of said carriers, and means for driving all of said driving wheels from the power transmission unit, the mounting of the frame intermediate the drive wheels communicating to said frame and blade but a fraction of the depth of drop of any one or more of said drive wheels when dropping into a hole or rut.

11. In an automotive road machine provided with a grader blade, an elongated frame upon which the blade is mounted, steering wheels at the front and driving wheels at the rear of said frame, a power transmission unit positioned at the rear of said frame and provided with trunnions mounted at the sides thereof, and forwardly of said driving Wheels and upon which the rear of the frame is mounted, shaft members rotatable in said trunnions, additional driving wheels located forwardly of said trunnions and whereby the trunnions are positioned intermediate the front and rear drive wheels, said additional driving wheels being positioned a substantial amount nearer to the grader blade whereby to provide additional traction and materially resist any tendency of the side draft to force the machine off its normal course, and a mounting carrying the drive wheels on the opposite sides of the frame and permitting said drive wheels to oscillate vertically with respect to the power transmission unit and frame, the mounting of the frame intermediate the drive wheels communicating to said frame and blade but a fraction of the depth of drop of one or more of said drive Wheels when dropping into a hole or rut.

12. In a self-propelled road machine provided with a grader blade, an elongated frame upon which the blade is mounted, mechanism mounted on said frame for operating and adjusting the blade, said mechanism and frame being adapted to exert the requisite amount of pressure on the blade for the desired scraping and grading operation, a' power transmission unit at the rear of the frame, steering wheels at the front and ground-engaging driving wheels at the rear of the machine, trunnions rigid with the sides of the power transmission unit and upon which the frame is mounted, a carrier pivotally mounted on each trunnion, additional ground-engaging driving wheels located forwardly of said first mentioned driving wheels and between the same andthe blade and effecting resistance against lateral movement of the machine from a heavy side load on the face of the grader blade, said trunnions being positioned intermediate said drive wheels, stub axles mounted in the opposite ends of said carriers and carrying the driving wheels, a drive shaft in said trunnions, and means for driving said axles and driving wheels from said shaft, the mounting of the frame intermediate the drive wheels communicating to said frame and blade but a fraction of the depth of drop of one or more of said drive wheels when dropping into a hole or rut.

13. In a self-propelled road machine provided with a frame and a grader blade positioned below said frame, and means for operating said blade over the road surface, said means comprising mechanism for adjusting and maintaining said blade at a desired scraping angle with the road surface, steering wheels at the front of the frame, a power transmission unit at the rear of the frame and a plurality of drive wheels on each side of the frame and unit and so mounted as to move up and down in accordance with the contour of the road surface, said drive wheels being arranged in tandem and the mounting thereof being intermediate the drive wheels on each side of the frame whereby but a fraction of the depth of drop of one or more of said drive lwlheels will be communicated to the frame and ade.

14. In an automotive road machine provided with a frame and a road working tool positioned below and intermediate the length of said frame, mechanism for adjusting and maintaining said tool at a desired angle with respect to the road surface, steering wheels at the front and a power transmission unit at the rear of said frame, a plurality of drive wheels arranged in tandem on each side of said frame and carried by said power transmission unit, and means for mounting said drive wheels upon the power transmission unit, said mounting being intermediate the drive wheels on each side of the frame whereby but a fraction of the depth of drop of one or more of said drive wheels will be communicated to the frame and tool.

WILLIAM T. BEATTY. FRED D. WILSON.

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